Sharks back atop Div. II in high school hockey

March 25, 2012|By Maureen Boyce, Special Correspondent

The Eagles made it a clean sweep by winning the second game, 7-4, to secure the title. Kaub was the offensive sparkplug with a four-goal performance, while goalie Nick Amato hung tough between the pipes with several good saves to preserve the victory.

North Broward had reached the championship round by defeating Cooper City, 10-5, in semifinal action.

Captain Brandon Palacio led the way with three goals and an assist, while Kaub scored twice and contributed two assists.

That advanced North Broward Prep to the state championship tournament.

In the opening game of the pool-play round, Fleischman's hat trick was a key factor in lifting the Eagles past Cypress Bay Gold, 7-2.

The Eagles' next game was a grueling defensive battle against Tampa Jesuit.

Trailing 1-0 in the third period, Fleischman again stepped up for North Broward and provided the equalizer with a power-play tally. Shine assisted on the tying goal, which ultimately sent the game into a three-man shootout won by the Eagles.

In its final game of the preliminaries, North Broward defeated East Lake (Tarpon Springs), 6-2, with Simons scoring twice and Fleischman contributing a goal and an assist.

Their spotless record in pool play advanced the Eagles to the final, where once again their opponent was Cypress Bay. This turned out to be the best game of the playoffs for both squads and was played on the Florida Panthers' home ice.

By midway through the third stanza, North Broward held a 3-2 lead on goals by Simons, DeBello and Palacio.

But with just nine seconds remaining, Worth scored to make it 3-3 and force a 10-minute overtime.

About halfway through the extra session, Perlman struck for the winning goal to clinch for the Eagles the state championship with a 4-3 triumph.